Death announced of ECPR founding father Serge Hurtig

We are very sad to announce the death of Serge Hurtig, a founding father of the ECPR, who passed away on 1 December at the age of 92.

Serge Hurtig was born in 1927 in Bucharest. He studied at Georgetown University in Washington and in 1948 entered Sciences Po Paris, where he graduated in 1950 and was immediately offered a position as researcher. He remained at Sciences Po during his long and fruitful career, and he led the institute for more than 25 years.

Serge Hurtig played a major role in the development and institutionalisation of political science in France, but also strongly believed in and defended its internationalisation. In the 1970s, he played a crucial role in the creation of the ECPR, becoming a member of our very first Executive Committee and remaining there until 1979.

His belief in the importance of international exchanges also shows in his active contribution to the International Political Science Association (IPSA) of which he was secretary-general from 1960 to 1967 and vice-president of the Executive Committee from 1979 to 1985.

With Serge's passing we lose one of the true pioneers of European political science. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.